Single Channel Memory

[Michael Joeden]

I was stupid when I built my first computer thinking that I would need to be able to upgrade to 64gb of RAM in the future, so I bought a single stick of 16gb 3000mhz CL15 RAM. 16gb turned out to be enough for a lot of things after all, but I am in a bind. I don't know how big the difference is, but I use CAD, Adobe CC suite, and games on a daily basis and I think my single channel memory is throttling my computer. Should I sell my 1x16 stick for a loss and get a cheaper 2x8 kit? Or should I stick it and buy another stick for 32gb?

[Beerbuddy]

Just because it might be throttling your computer doesn't mean it's not good until you want to upgrade.  Are you unhappy with the performance? Then maybe sell and get 2x 8gb if not, just stick it out until you can get another 16gb stick.  Or list it on ebay for close to what you paid and if it sells, then get the 2x 8gb.  People make a big deal about dual channel, but in reality, it doesn't make a HUGE difference for the average user imo. Or return it if it's within the return period... Not a huge price difference between a single stick and 2x 8gb.  If you're going for 64gb eventually, you're going to have to use 16gb sticks anyways right?

[LIGISTX]

If you use Adobe CC and CAD, I would think 32 GB wouldn't hurt. I use LR and PS a lot, and when using both (edit in PS from LR) I can hit upwards of 20 GB used easily. I shoot a D850 so I have pretty "large" stills files, but depending what your doing, I would likely say 32 GB would be worth it....

 

And I use solidworks as well, but very very simple models. Like, very simple, lol. I am talking like simple bodies and maybe an assembly or two, so I can't really say much to that regard since my use case is so dumb its not very meaningful. I just design things to 3D print for fun.

[Cyracus]

12 minutes ago, Beerbuddy said:

but in reality, it doesn't make a HUGE difference for the average user

Definitely true in gaming with a dedicated graphics card (onboard graphics get a big boost from single->dual channel memory) but for video editing and other real works it can give a decent uplift to performance

[BobVonBob]

Many workstation loads like CAD and editing will benefit from extra RAM bandwidth, and surprisingly, games are actually starting to make use of multi channel memory.

 

 

[Beerbuddy]

1 minute ago, Cyracus said:

Definitely true in gaming with a dedicated graphics card (onboard graphics get a big boost from single->dual channel memory) but for video editing and other real works it can give a decent uplift to performance

Totally true and I probably ignored his use case more than I should have. Nonetheless... I still believe that if he can deal with the it until he can upgrade, it's worth it as he will need 16gb sticks to get to 64bg (assuming he only has 4 ram slots). 

[Cyracus]

Long term picture ddr5 should be coming probably mid 2020, going off history, prices will be stiff until 2021, but that ryzen board should be able to handle an upgrade at least to the zen2 processors dropping this summer.

I'd say get another 16gb stick, by the time you're ready to upgrade again the early adopter tax should be gone